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Growing Wellness in the South Bronx

We are a dance & yoga studio creating accessible cultures of wellness for our community in the South Bronx & beyond. Help us grow!

$106,864
pledged of$556,000 goal
537
0Days Left

Project Description

 

UPDATE!  WE'RE EXPANDING!  HELP US MOVE!

DAYCARE, AFTER-SCHOOL & LIVE PERFORMANCE SPACE

CHECK OUT OUR UPDATED CAMPAIGN!  

FIRST, THANK YOU

To those of you who have already contributed, to our incredible clients who have supported us, THANK YOU ALL for your support!  We owe you the very fact we are still here!

 

THE HARD TRUTH

There is no denying the devastating economic impact the Covid-19 pandemic on our small business.     Between quarantines, an extended 13 month mandated closure, and a whole slew of debt, the global pandemic has cleared our eyes and made us aware of the glaring weaknesses which almost saw us permanently shuttered.  But we...

 

CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP

Nope! We are not done yet folks! In fact, the best is surely yet to come! Sweet Water is more committed than ever to keeping wellness in the Bronx for the long haul, and we can't wait to share the upgrades!

 

NEW OFFERINGS

CHILDCARE, AFTER-SCHOOL & LIVE PERFORMANCE SPACE

We are EXPANDING our CHILDREN'S OFFERING to include a FULL SERVICE CHILDCARE and AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM with all the enrichment, wellness and magic you’ve come to expect from our kids programming. Just ask our Roots & Rivers Families! 

The funds raised will go toward building out, and transitioning us into, a new 5000 square foot Department of Health compliant facility that will house all of our regular dance, fitness and wellness programming, in addition to a new Roots & Rivers Kids Wellness & Arts Center, and a performance venue for small and medium sized productions and events...all right here in the Bronx!

Yes yes y'all! It's Sweet Water v2.0!  

THE REWARDS

We gotchu!  Feel good inside and out with our double take worthy gear and dance classes offerings.  Look cute taking class while you rock our BRAND NEW LOGO with new SWDY BRANDED MERCH! Select from great reward options and be part of our story or transcending survival!

 

OUR MISSION

 

Sweet Water Dance & Yoga is a wellness center proudly serving the South Bronx and surrounding areas since 2014.  We offer dance, yoga, fitness and wellness classes and workshops that are accessible and engaging for our local community, and guests as far away as Brooklyn, New Jersey and Westchester County.  

 

It is our mission to encourage and support a culture of wellness that effectively improves quality of life in the Bronx, and beyond to anyone seeking to enrich their lives with fun and feel good.  We accomplish this mission by delivering engaging and effective services, at accessible price points, led by instructors and wellness professionals that are reflective of the local community.  All this in a space that is inviting, inspiring and with a staff that has garnered near five-star customer service ratings across all platforms.  

 

OUR INSPIRATION

 

My name is Yosara, and I am from the Bronx.

In 2011, I graduated from law school at the age of 40.  Five months later, I gave birth to my first and only child.  I turned to yoga to help me prepare for sitting for the New York State Bar Exam. I needed to get back into my body, heal my mind and regain my focus after the sleep-deprived madness of early motherhood.   

But I was an unemployed, unsupported single mother.  At the time yoga required me to travel out of the Bronx, which meant adding the cost of transportation and childcare to the class fee.  I calculated that each yoga class would require at least 3 hours of my time and cost me no less than $60.00 per class. 

In addition to the financial struggle, I would often find I was the only person of color in my yoga classes.  As a new single mother adjusting to my postpartum body, I felt isolated and yearned to be surrounded by my own community.  These circumstances made a sustainable yoga practice simply inaccessible to me at the precise time in my life when I was most vulnerable and needed it most.

My struggle was no different than that of any other Bronx mother or family living in poverty.  We are all striving to get past survival:  we want our families to thrive.  But we are often unable to access the very services that might help us break the grip of our trauma and progress out of our circumstances. 

Inspired by the challenge, I took up an opportunity to write a business plan, and two years later I opened Sweet Water Dance & Yoga, an inspiring 4000 square foot studio serving movement and wellness to the South Bronx, with love. 

 

OUR STATS

So, what's the big deal about a dance and yoga studio in the Bronx?  

The South Bronx is located in the poorest congressional district in the country and is the youngest and least healthy of all of New York’s sixty-two counties. Our community is mired in generational poverty and trauma. Rates of food insecurity, asthma and diabetes top nationwide charts. 

Living in poverty triggers a survival response in the body, which limits access to our full capacity.  Living in survival stagnates quality of life and creates patterns and cycles that can feel inescapable.

We know that practices like yoga and meditation can heal the body and mind and even reverse the damage.  We know that dance can improve brain function, heal depression and prevent disease.  We know a culture of wellness can change our lives.  Enter Sweet Water.

 

OUR SOLUTION 

Located in a historic building between Yankee Stadium and the Bronx Courts, our studio is conveniently located just steps from all major subway and commuter rail stations, and subway stops. 

 

 

Our prices are among the lowest in New York City across the board, and our pricing structure gives a single point of access to dance, yoga and boot camp classes, encouraging exploration.  We offer deep discounts to families that receive public assistance and free and donation-based yoga and meditation classes.

Our classes are led by talented instructors that look, feel and sound like us, because they are us.  They live and work locally and are empowered by being able to earn a living while serving their own community. 

 

 

SWDY clients come here because they love how it feels.  They feel celebrated, valued and served.  They feel catered to and identified.  They feel normalized.  They are growing, laughing and sweating in community.  They feel good.  And, there is nothing more healing than feel good. 

 

OUR IMPACT

 

Since our opening, we have served our special brand of wellness to over 7300 unique clients, across 5006 families and households. Over 4000 of these families are in the Bronx alone. That is 4000 Bronx households of primarily brown people, primarily immigrants, primarily lower to middle-class incomes that have benefitted from the wellness practices we’ve made available. Over 3800 Bronx families that trust us with their family’s wellness.

 

Since the addition of our Yoga Alliance approved 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training last year, Sweet Water has led four all POC cohorts and graduated 37 new Bronx based yoga instructors.  With their training complete our graduates are helping to heal their community armed with restorative and trauma-sensitive techniques that are proven effective in helping to heal chronic stress disorders that often accompany poverty and social inequity. 

 

 

Our dedication is real.   Sweet Water is committed to a healthier Bronx all around.   We couldn’t be prouder of where we come from, or where it's going!

 

OUR GROWTH

Sweet Water has survived these first five years with love and grit, if not always grace.  For small businesses, it can be tough to keep your doors open, especially after a global pandemic that kept our doors closed for over a year! 

It has taken community effort and sacrifice to keep us afloat during our toughest moments.  As we look forward to the next ten years, and beyond, the SWDY house is thrilled to announce two new streams of revenue and an exciting relocation!  

  • Wellness Tourism is back on!  SWDY is thrilled to announce our newest offering.  In August of 2020, SWDY will be holding its first Wellness Retreat to the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco, Peru.    Be the first to sign up for this amazing 10-day retreat right here through our reward.  Check the reward for more detail.  
  • In Studio Retail Store:  This Summer, Sweet Water will introduce a beautiful new in-studio retail store featuring all of your SWDY favorites like palo santo, organic essential oils, natural personal care products, and expanding to include a full line of SWDY Swag and yoga and wellness accessories, all thoughtfully sourced.

 

OUR CAMPAIGN

 

While we are excited about our development, we are making sure to optimize every resource available to us as we move into stability and exciting growth. We are raising funds to help us execute an expansion and relocation project and necessary renovations with energy and impact.    

Ifundwomen is a platform that specializes in helping women entrepreneurs raise funds for their company.  We are thrilled to work with partners that support social equity and do so with authenticity and passion. The Ifundwomen platform allows us to raise capital by selling a special selection of attractive products at great prices.  

We are using this platform to expand awareness of our studio and our new offerings and raise $808,000.00 by selling a sweet selection of our products and services at our best prices through October 31st.   This will help us in the short term by generating the revenues required to execute our expansion and renovation projects, and in the long term by boosting performance and increasing awareness of our brand. 

 

USE OF FUNDS

Our goal is to raise $808,000.00 in sales and contributions.  After deducting the cost of goods sold, shipping, platform and related processing fees, this raise will result in the capital injection necessary to relocate us to a new Department of Health compliant location, and finance the renovations and preparation for our new Kid's Wellness & Arts Center including Full Service Child Care and After-School program, and our new Live Performance Venue Space for small and medium sized productions. These funds will be allocated towards securing and building out a new space to our child care compliant specifications.

OUR ASK

So you've read and heard the pitch.  Now here is the ask.  Will you help us?  We are asking that you BUY, GIFT or SHARE anything on this page.  

BUY SOMETHING

Peruse our tantalizing rewards and see if any of them interest you. Your purchase is a financial contribution, and besides getting a great deal on an awesome product or service, you will get all kinds of props, kudos and love!  So much PDA y'all!  We will even keep you posted on how your contribution has impacted our community.  

GIFT SOMETHING

Give the gift of SWDY.  You can buy a reward and let us know you want to gift it to someone specific, or to anyone in our community.  Let us know the desired demographic and we will connect your gift with the right community member!

SHARE SOMETHING

Not in a position to purchase anything right now? We get it AND we know, without a doubt, that our wealth is our community. Sharing the word about our campaign and our offerings can be the most valuable contribution in the world.  So go ahead and SHARE!  

 

 

If one thing is clear for us, it is that our community is our wealth. It is in service and support of one another that we find access to our greatest potential. I know I never thought I would be dedicated to improving health and wellness in my community. I was supposed to be a lawyer! I started out wanting better for myself and my son but ended up doing better for Bronx families. What can be better than that?  For us?  Nothing.

Thank you for your time, attention and generosity.

 

 

The Campaign FAQs

Sweet Water Dance & Yoga is a women of color owned and operated business in the South Bronx.  

Funds raised with this campaign are going toward critical repairs, business development and brand awareness.  See the Use of Funds section for more detail.  

Emily
10/26/2021
Monetary Contribution
$50
Elle A
10/26/2021
Monetary Contribution
$10
H Ortiz
10/26/2021
Monetary Contribution
$20
BM
10/21/2021
Monetary Contribution
$10
Laine Moljo
10/19/2021
Monetary Contribution
$20
Justin N.
10/18/2021
Monetary Contribution
$200
Sarah Surisook
10/18/2021
Monetary Contribution
$20
M Adil
10/17/2021
Monetary Contribution
$55
anonymous
10/17/2021
Monetary Contribution
$15
Rana
10/17/2021
Monetary Contribution
$50
55.00 USD
Sweet Tote

Receive a stylish and eco-friendly canvas tote plus One Virtual SWDY Dance, Yoga, Fitness or Meditation Classes you can take from ANYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD!  One for you!  One to give away!  Extra points if you take class with your favorite Mother!

How ever do you want it?

We got it for you!  Our new Virtual Class Schedule jumps off on New Years Day 2022 featuring all our favorites: Egyptian Belly Dance, Salsa, Bachata, Samba, Zumba, Flex Conditioning, Pilates, as well as various yoga and meditation classes and even Sound Bath sessions! 

Makes a great Holiday Gift!  

Share with friends & family!

Join our community!

Find your wellness, your way, while supporting wellness equity for the Bronx! 

4960 Left
40 Supporters
Select this reward
Monetary Contribution

Would you like to give a straight donation, with no reward?  Select this reward and select the dollar amount for your donation.

379 Supporters
Select this reward
35.00 USD
SWDY Women's Tee plus One Virtual Class

Rock your SWDY 2.0 pride with these beautiful women's t-shirts sporting a fresh short/long cut and our BRAND NEW LOGO.  Then use your t-shirt to take a Virtual Class on us!  Aye!

Makes a great holiday gift!

T-shirt Description:

Printed on Bella + Canvas Flowy Muscle Tee with Rolled Cuff, this perfectly flowy t shirt is forward enough to to wear everywhere, this must-have womens muscle tee is an on-trend essential. Rolled cuffs add an element of style, and a high-low, raw-edge hem gives it need-now appeal.

Features: Side seamed. Relaxed, draped fit. Rolled cuff. Hi low raw bottom hem.

Available in Black, White, Olive and Teal and in Women Sizes S, M, L, XL & 2XL.

PLEASE INCLUDE DESIRED COLOR, SIZE & MAILING ADDRESS.

Virtual Classes are delivered on a Gift Card Valid through 2022, and fully transferable.

4966 Left
34 Supporters
Select this reward
35.00 USD
Grey & White TriBlend + Virtual Class

Rock your SWDY 2.0 pride with these beautiful Gray & White t-shirts sporting our brand new logo!  Aye!

Makes a great holiday gift!

T-shirt Descriptions:

Bella + Canvas Women's Tri-Blend T-shirt

Who doesn't love a tri-blend made for ladies? There are few fabrics that are more universally comfy than a tri-blend - especially for ladies! We think this shirt is so soft that you'll want to sleep in it.

Gray & White Women Sizes S, M, L, XL & 2XL.

Bella + Canvas Tri‑Blend T-shirt

Super soft fabric makes this shirt a winner! This shirt is an easy favorite - it's trendy with super soft fabric and stylish colors! Coordinates perfectly with all Bella + Canvas Tri-Blend products

PLEASE INCLUDE DESIRED COLOR, SIZE & MAILING ADDRESS.

Virtual Classes are delivered on a Gift Card Valid through 2022, and fully transferable.

While supplies last.

PLEASE INCLUDE T-shirt Cut Preference (Male or Female cut), size, shipping name and address.

Virtual Classes are delivered on a Gift Card Valid through 2022, and fully transferable.

While supply lasts.  Estimated delivery November 30, 2022.

4988 Left
12 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Bronx, NY
Created 1 Campaign
Health + Science

Rewards

55.00 USD
Sweet Tote

Receive a stylish and eco-friendly canvas tote plus One Virtual SWDY Dance, Yoga, Fitness or Meditation Classes you can take from ANYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD!  One for you!  One to give away!  Extra points if you take class with your favorite Mother!

How ever do you want it?

We got it for you!  Our new Virtual Class Schedule jumps off on New Years Day 2022 featuring all our favorites: Egyptian Belly Dance, Salsa, Bachata, Samba, Zumba, Flex Conditioning, Pilates, as well as various yoga and meditation classes and even Sound Bath sessions! 

Makes a great Holiday Gift!  

Share with friends & family!

Join our community!

Find your wellness, your way, while supporting wellness equity for the Bronx! 

4960 Left
40 Supporters
Select this reward
Monetary Contribution

Would you like to give a straight donation, with no reward?  Select this reward and select the dollar amount for your donation.

379 Supporters
Select this reward
35.00 USD
SWDY Women's Tee plus One Virtual Class

Rock your SWDY 2.0 pride with these beautiful women's t-shirts sporting a fresh short/long cut and our BRAND NEW LOGO.  Then use your t-shirt to take a Virtual Class on us!  Aye!

Makes a great holiday gift!

T-shirt Description:

Printed on Bella + Canvas Flowy Muscle Tee with Rolled Cuff, this perfectly flowy t shirt is forward enough to to wear everywhere, this must-have womens muscle tee is an on-trend essential. Rolled cuffs add an element of style, and a high-low, raw-edge hem gives it need-now appeal.

Features: Side seamed. Relaxed, draped fit. Rolled cuff. Hi low raw bottom hem.

Available in Black, White, Olive and Teal and in Women Sizes S, M, L, XL & 2XL.

PLEASE INCLUDE DESIRED COLOR, SIZE & MAILING ADDRESS.

Virtual Classes are delivered on a Gift Card Valid through 2022, and fully transferable.

4966 Left
34 Supporters
Select this reward
35.00 USD
Grey & White TriBlend + Virtual Class

Rock your SWDY 2.0 pride with these beautiful Gray & White t-shirts sporting our brand new logo!  Aye!

Makes a great holiday gift!

T-shirt Descriptions:

Bella + Canvas Women's Tri-Blend T-shirt

Who doesn't love a tri-blend made for ladies? There are few fabrics that are more universally comfy than a tri-blend - especially for ladies! We think this shirt is so soft that you'll want to sleep in it.

Gray & White Women Sizes S, M, L, XL & 2XL.

Bella + Canvas Tri‑Blend T-shirt

Super soft fabric makes this shirt a winner! This shirt is an easy favorite - it's trendy with super soft fabric and stylish colors! Coordinates perfectly with all Bella + Canvas Tri-Blend products

PLEASE INCLUDE DESIRED COLOR, SIZE & MAILING ADDRESS.

Virtual Classes are delivered on a Gift Card Valid through 2022, and fully transferable.

While supplies last.

PLEASE INCLUDE T-shirt Cut Preference (Male or Female cut), size, shipping name and address.

Virtual Classes are delivered on a Gift Card Valid through 2022, and fully transferable.

While supply lasts.  Estimated delivery November 30, 2022.

4988 Left
12 Supporters
Select this reward